Raya Yarbrough

Raya Yarbrough

2008-04-14

Sultry, seductive, bluesy, jazzy & beautiful are just a few of the adjectives to describe the voice of Raya Yarbrough. Raya started singing jazz at the age of seven and it’s easy to see how the classic artists like Nina Simone, Clifford Brown & others have shaped her musical style. It is also easy to see that Raya doesn’t want to be pigeonholed into being just another Jazz singer as she opens with the bluesy “Lord Knows I Would” & then shifts gears into the Reggae flavored “You’re So Bad For Me”. Several tracks have a certain Pop feel to them & the ending up-tempo “Better Days” Raya has a vocal scat that makes this listener believe she has many better days ahead. - Gregg Saur

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 01/2017

    Sidney Jacobs
    First Man

  • reviewed 06/2005

    MeShell Ndegeocello
    The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel

  • reviewed 11/2009

    IVAN "FUNKBOY" BODLEY
    PIGS FEET & POTTED MEAT

  • reviewed 06/2008

    STRING PLANET
    Songs From the Home Planet

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Caribbean Jazz Project
    Afro Bop Alliance

  • reviewed 07/2006

    PETER KATER
    10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.